Hot Topics:

Jeanie Starr: Fracking ballot issues would cost jobs

Posted:
06/29/2016 07:20:20 PM MDT

Let's outlaw fracking in Colorado...as long as somebody else still has some oil. Let's get enough signatures and get the anti-oil and gas initiatives (Nos. 40, 63, 75 and 78) on the November ballot. (But, let's call them what they really are: proposed amendments to the Colorado Constitution.)

No more oil and gas for Colorado. The fallout?

First, with the loss of oil and gas comes a profound loss of jobs. Hard-working men and women with families to support would no longer have a livelihood. Tens of thousands of jobs would be lost. In addition, hundreds of millions in tax revenue losses would equate to higher taxes. This would, of course, translate into a less than welcoming business environment in the state.

Secondly, there are 248,000 cars in Boulder County. Additionally, Colorado ranks seventh in the country for electric vehicle sales per capita, with 0.02 vehicles sold per person. Ranking seventh is impressive, but at 0.02 vehicles sold per person, a giant shortfall is left between what electric vehicles are providing and what our fossil-fuel needs are. What plan do the initiative supporters have for this shortfall?

So, if we turn our backs on an abundant natural resource and outlaw fracking everywhere in the United States — which is the intent of the initiative supporters — where do we go for oil and gas? Iran? Russia? Saudi Arabia? What an untenable position to put ourselves in, yet that is the future if we allow interest groups outside of Colorado to convince us to sign their petitions.

Advertisement

Think seriously if asked to sign a petition. Know what you're signing and what it may lead to. These initiatives are presented as beneficial. In fact, their passage would be terribly harmful to the people of Colorado.

Boulder is pretty good at producing rock bands, and by "rock," we mean the in-your-face, guitar-heavy, leather-clad variety — you know, the good kind. For a prime example, look no farther than BANDITS. Full Story